Mac Naughton Rises to Walmart Chief Merchandising Officer Post

Walmart U.S. has appointed Duncan Mac Naughton to the position of chief merchandising officer for U.S. stores, effective immediately. In his new role, Mac Naughton will oversee all merchandise categories across more than 3,700 stores in the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer’s U.S. business. He will still report to Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon.

“Duncan has distinguished himself with a proven record of success in every organization that he has worked in, including Walmart in the United States and Canada,” noted Simon. “He is a strong steward of our culture, and he understands that merchandising is at the very core of our business. Duncan is committed to giving our customers a breadth of assortment, national brands and everyday low prices.”

Added Mac Naughton. “We remain focused on ensuring that our assortment exceeds our customers’ expectations, both in stores and online. While much has been accomplished, we are working closely with our suppliers to deliver the products and the brands our customers are looking for at Walmart’s everyday low prices.

Mac Naughton said his team planned “to make the shopping experience more fun for our customers through increasing promotional intensity by effectively utilizing action alley.”

Mac Naughton joined Walmart in 2009 as chief merchandising officer for Walmart Canada. In October 2010, he became EVP of merchandising for Walmart U.S., where he oversaw consumables, health and wellness, and Walmart.com. Before coming to Walmart, Mac Naughton held executive roles at Kraft Foods Inc., H.E. Butt Grocery Co. and Albertson’s Inc., and was EVP of merchandising and marketing at Supervalu Inc.